HERITAGE WALK, PUSHKARThe ‘town of temples’, Pushkar or Padmavati is known for its magnetism, religiosity and variety of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Located at a distance of 14km from Ajmer, it is imagined to be one of the oldest places and also holds a sacred position in amongst the five pilgrimage sites of Hindus. The antiquity and popularity of the town can be traced back to the 2nd century BCE, as the archaeological findings reveal assemblage of coins of the period of Indo-Bactrian, Greek, Kshatrapa and Gupta. From the ancient to the medieval times, the city experienced flourishing trade economy and was ruled by the Gadiyas, Chauhans and Mughals.

The town entwines around Pushkar Sarovar (holy lake), which is believed to have appeared when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower. The town has one of the world’s few Brahma temples. The cultural spread of Pushkar comprises of over 500 temples and 52 holy ghats which express the hums of sanctity and devotion. Apart from the religious edifices, the town is popular for Pushkar-mela, an annual five-day fair held in the month of Kartik of which the holy dip is an important ritual. The exquisite arts, crafts and scrumptious delicacies add an artistic flavour in the town of Pushkar.

The Heritage Walk is designed to experience Pushkar religiously and architecturally and to link the tangible and intangible assets. The 3.17km Heritage Walk will start from the grand Mahal Badshahi and leads towards Mukhya Brahma Ghat, Brahma Temple, Bade Ganesha Ji Ka Mandir, Gyan Gopal Ji Ka Mandir, Shahi Mosque, Malpua Gali, Ram Laxman Temple, Old Rangji Temple,Varaha Temple, New Rang Ji Temple, Bihari Ji Ka Temple. The walk ends at Jaipur Ghat which is a lively symbol of tranquil and sensuality of the setting sun.

HERITAGE WALK,PUSHKAR

Dronah

Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage

A-258, South City-I, Gurgaon-122 001 Phone: 91-(0)124-4082081, 2381067, Fax: 91-(0)124-4269081

Email: dronah@gmail.com, Website: www.dronah.org

Walk Designed by

PUSHKAR NAGAR PALIKA

LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTGOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN

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Ajmer Pushkar Road

NH - 89LegendHeritage Walk - 3.17Km

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GYAN GOPAL JI KA MANDIR The double storey temple in Indo-Persian style is believed to have been constructed by the Parashars, around the 19th century CE.

MALPUA GALI: Pushkar is famous for sweets and delicacies. The gali (alley) has traditional sweet shops which are about 50 years old, and its special sweet is Malpua made with maida (kind of wheat flour) and sugar.

RAM LAXMAN TEMPLE A 19th century property which has both idols of Ram and Laxman. The double storey temple has a projected terrace and foliated arch entrance framing a pointed arch opening.

OLD RANGNATHJI TEMPLE Constructed in 16th century CE by Seth Puranmal Ganeriwal, the single storey temple devoted to Krishna is decorated with mythological frescos in the Italian fresco-bouno technique.

VARAH TEMPLE Built in the 19th century, it is one of the largest ancient temple of Pushkar. Within a walled area, the temple’s massive structure have pilasters, gateways, chhatris and hanging eaves.

NEW RANGNATHJI TEMPLE Constructed in the 20th Century CE .by Seths of the Maheswari caste. The single storey Vaisnavite temple is an example of Dravidian style, and houses a grand idol of Shri Vaikunth Venkatesh and Shri Lakshmi Narsingh. The main entrance has three levels with foliated archway. The interior has an open courtyard, and the main shrine.

MAHAL BADSHAHI: Built in 1613 CE by the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, the Mahal Badshahi is a symbol of victory over the Maharajas of Mewar. It consists of two identical pavilions built on a rectangular platform with an open square pavilion at the centre that displays Mughal motifs.

BIHARI JI KA TEMPLE It is a large and impressive temple dedicated to Lord Krishna built by the queen of Sawai Jagat Singh.

MUKHYA BRAMHA GHAT Constructed around 18th-19th century CE, it is the main ghat with immense historical significance and most of the rituals are performed here. The ghat has a foliated arch gateway with a barrel dome and three pinnacles, and the staircase leading down the lake has structures on either sides.

SHAHI MASJID It is the only mosque built by Aurangzeb in a predominantly Hindu town. The place was originally the location of Kesorai-Ji temple. The corners of the compound wall are vertically extended to form four minars with chhatris on top.

JAIPUR GHAT Constructed in 18th-19th century CE, this ghat is used for sacred bathing rituals, ancestor worship, and attracts both visitors and residents. It is a famous sunset point decorated with a double storey structure.

BADE GANESH JI KA MANDIR Constructed in the 19th century CE, the double storey structure is ornamented with a foliated arch opening. On the upper level, the windows and facade have floral and the railing of terrace has relief carvings.

BRAHMA TEMPLE: It is the only temple of Brahma in India. After series of demolitions by the religious bigots, the temple was reconstructed in 1809 CE by Gokul Chand Pareek the Minister of Daulat Ram Scindia. The temple set on a high plinth, is approached through a number of marble steps, which leads to the entrance gate archway, mandapa (pillared hall) and Garbhagriha (sanctum) that enshrines four-armed deity Brahma.

Dronah

Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage

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